IT Project Proposals
Writing to Win

A guide to creating high quality, persuasive proposals promoting software products or services.

Paul Coombs (Author)

9780521612579, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 July 2005

158 pages, 13 b/w illus. 10 tables
24.7 x 17.4 x 0.9 cm, 0.26 kg

"All proposal writers should read this superb book. In fact, all technical communicators should have it at their desks. It is easy to read, is designed well in its use of white space and typography, and offers many useful concepts. Even if its overall size might lead you to believe that it doesn't have much to say, this small book is packed with loads of information."
Jackie Damrau for Technical Communication

Whether responding to tender from a potential client or pitching a new IT project to the Board, a well-written proposal can be the difference between success and failure. IT Project Proposals: Writing to Win can help you to create high quality, persuasive proposals that will stand out from the crowd. The author explains how to determine the reader's basis of decision and the writer's unique selling points. It discusses the structuring of documents, the secrets behind persuasive writing, and the basic grammar and punctuation rules that will prevent writers from destroying a good argument through bad presentation. Case studies and numerous examples show how the techniques described can be used in real-life situations. The book also introduces an automated questionnaire allowing any IT proposal to be reviewed and rated. Written for IT managers, consultants and anyone else producing internal or commercial proposals promoting software products or services.

1. Introduction
2. Establishing the strategy
3. Choosing the content
4. Structuring the proposal
5. Tightening up the text
6. Obeying the grammar rules
7. Obeying the punctuation rules
8. Finishing off
9. Reviewing the result
10. Summary
Appendix A. The document standard
Appendix B. References and resources
Appendix C. Case studies.

Subject Areas: Educational: IT & computing, ICT [YQTU], Information technology industries [KNTX], Sales & marketing [KJS]